31st Annual Student Research Conference
Expression and Purification of Gamma Crystallins
Alexandra M. Marko*, Addison M. Leabo, and Brigitta M. Reth
Dr. Cassidy Dobson, Faculty Mentor
Gamma crystallins are the major class of proteins in the eye. Their aggregation is the cause of cataracts which causes over 35 million cases of visual imparity worldwide. Our laboratory seeks to understand the behavior of aggregation of the gamma crystallins and to investigate if this aggregation can be reversed or even prevented. We are specifically interested in interactions between disulfide bond forming protein (DBF) and the Gamma crystallins. DBF has been shown to reverse protein aggregation in a variety of conditions. In order to study these interactions, we must first obtain protein. This is performed by expressing recombinant protein in E. coli cells and purifying by column chromatography. SDS-PAGE is used to assess the extent of purification of the Gamma crystallins to ascertain if they are pure enough to study the interactions with DBF.
Keywords: gamma crystallins, protein expression, protein purification, E. coli, column chromatography, SDS-PAGE
Topic(s):Chemistry
Biology
Presentation Type: Poster
Session: 4-1
Location: GEO - SUB
Time: 3:30